For me The Blue Max represents one of those big scale war films that would play repeatedly on late night television back before we had the VHS tape at our fingertips. It starred George Peppard as the young ace pilot looking to capture the Fatherland’s Blue Max for his skills against enemy fighter pilots high above the battlefields during the first world war. The film was directed by John Guillermin who had graduated from guiding Tarzan films (including one of the best post Weissmuller films, Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure) to this big budgeted effort. He’d continue on into the 1970’s directing a pair of equally large scale films, The Towering Inferno and 1976’s King Kong.
What exactly do I mean when I say “reconstructing” The Blue Max that also starred Ursula Andress who had achieved international fame just four years prior in Dr. No and the celebrated James Mason? Well to be honest I’m not reconstructing the film but rather a billboard sized movie poster that I came across in my travels for movie memorabilia.
Alongside Number 2 Son, Kirk, we approached this as if we were building an oversized jigsaw puzzle on the fall mats that will serve as our canvas where he teaches karate to children of all ages.
So like any sane person doing a jigsaw puzzle one has to shift through the pieces to get and idea of where you want to start.
And so we began…..
Rounding into form….
‘Yeah I think it goes there, Kirk.”
“A little to your right.”
Taught him everything he knows when it comes to jigsaw puzzles….
A stunning addition to the poster collection here at Mike’s Take and one I won’t be hanging in my office anytime soon.
Unlike Roy Scheider in Jaws, Kirk is willing to get in the photo to give us an idea of just how big the shark …. I mean just how big the poster is.
A few close ups of this beautiful piece.
Been years so it might be time to revisit this big budget effort made at a time when George Peppard was one of Hollywood’s rising leading men.
Mike's Take On the Movies 
Fabulous poster. The Blue Max is a very good WW2 movie that I have not rewatched in a while. I do recall that the topless Ms. Andress was a big attraction at the time of initial release. On reflection James Mason’s performance was outstanding as was the aerial photography. I was never a fan of Mr. Peppard’s work but he was adequate as the lead, Bruno.
Thanks. I recall it being a good film but it’s been so long. I can understand the Ursula thing. A real beauty from that era. I’ve always been a fan of Mason and his wonderful voice. I don’t mind Peppard but I don’t think he’s remembered all that much as a great “star” of the time.
George Peppard was an excellent actor and a handsome man, who undoubtedly would have become a greater star, had he been more discriminating in his choice of scripts (I am well aware that an actor is not always free to choose the films in which he will appear). He looked like a star in the grand tradition. As to ‘The Blue Max’, the story is laid during the First World War (NOT the second), and – in a strange way – is easy to confuse with: ‘Operation Crossbow’ (in which Peppard also appeared), which is indeed laid during the Second World War. In spite of Peppard’s fine performance in each film, my feeling is that one viewing alone will suffice for either.
Funny you mention Operation Crossbow. Have that poster and it’s another great looking image. As for the film I liked it but came away wondering what Sophia was doing in it other than propping up her hubby Carlo’s production with marquee name value.
That is just what she was doing!
Your poster is a beauty! The film was good. Peppard, Mason and Ursula shone in their roles. Best regards.
Thanks. Now that I have this and did a little research I’m long overdue to rewatch this one. Has to have been 20 plus years. Ouch!
I love this movie and it’s been far too long since I’ve seen it. This was a nice trip down memory lane đŸ™‚
So I’m not the only one who hasn’t seen the movie in a long long time.
Impressive work!!!
It really is. I’m fortunate to have come across this stunning piece.
That’s an awesome poster, and would look great on your living room…ceiling? Roof? Billboard? Actually, it doesn’t look big enough for a real billboard…do you think it’s for a theater lobby? Interesting that’s it’s all cut up like that, though I guess a tube that size to send it rolled up would be hard to find. But the big question is: NOW what are you going to do with it?
I imagine it’s for a theater lobby or above the marquee atop a theater back in the day. Had it been used it would probably have been pasted up like a billboard and ruined. As for what happens now? No idea. Maybe someday I can park it in a military/flight museum?
Or perhaps park it in your own Mike’s Take Movie Museum?
Wow Mike! That Sir is an almighty post. What a superb addition to the vault. tbh on starting the post I was “what is he going on about, jigsaw etc” as I looked at the first pictures. Then when you see your boy next to the giant pieces and then in my best Lt. Bruno Stachel German I go “alles klar”. Wow the scale of the thing. Absolutely brilliant.
It might prove to be a once in a lifetime find…..
Watched it very recently and thought it was terrific. The aerial scenes were quite astonishing. The story itself was unusual enough to be interesting – a power struggle within the Luftwaffe at the same time as trying to fight a war. Andress was excellent and I felt she had a role that stretched her more than being just decorative as had often been the case.
A very good movie indeed. I’d like to see a blu ray release in the mainstream for this. Twilight Time put it out but only 3000 copies so long out of print.